System of ignition for explosive-engines.



L.'J. LE PONTOIS.

SYSTEM OF IGNITION FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1909 1,074,724. r Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

4 SHEETSSHBET 1.

L. J. LE PONTOIS.

SYSTEM OF IGNITION FOR EXFLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION PILEDJUNE 15, 1909.

Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' wwarmzz.

a v mmi Qmme oaeo:

L. J. LE PONTOIIS.

SYSTEM OF IGNITION FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION rum) mm: 15, .1909.

1,074,724. Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

' 4 BHEBTS-SHEET 3.

Fig.5

H mm

F ig.4

Q" go Wfliheooco: Z; amvem-fo 'c W L.' J. LE PONTOIS.

SYSTEM OF IGNITION FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 15, 1909.

Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I 3144mm to;

1 41am me @Himaooco UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE.

LEON (1'. LE PONTOIS, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESN'E ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 192. W. JOHNS.

SYSTEM OF IGNITION FOR EXPLOSIVE-ENGINES.

4 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

Application filed June 15; 1009. Serial No. 502,202.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Leon J. Ln PONTOIS, a citizen of the Republic of France,=i;re siding at New Rochelle, in the county of Westches ter and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems of Ignition for ExplosiveEngines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention. relates to a system of ignition for explosive engines and 'more particu-. larly to a system in which a battery and dynamo electric generator, preferably of the magneto-inductor type, are combined to act jointly to mutually assist each other, or to obtain ignition from either source when energy is not being derived from the other.

One object of my invention is the attainment of high efliciency in an ignition system with simplicity of apparatus and with a minimum amount of apparatus. In accomplishing this object, I preferably use an inductor-magneto alternator of such type that when connected in series with a suitable auxiliary source of direct current, such as a battery, each will assist the other to produce a relatively larger output of energy for the purpose of ignition and which energy will be available at very low speeds of rotation.

.I further arrange the character of the apparatus so that when the rotating element of the magneto is stationary or inactive, the auxiliary direct current source may be util ized in conjunction with the winding or windings of the magneto to obtain proper ignition and thus avoid additional windings for this purpose.

A further object of my invention is to overcome weakening or demagnetizing of the" permanent magnets of the magneto which has been one of the serious difiiculties experienced in ignition systems dependent alone upon energy derived from a magneto. B my invention, not only is the diliiculty of demagnetization of the magneto overcome, but the relation of the current flow n the winding or windings of the magneto 1s such as to tend to strengthen the permanentmagnet or magnets. Moreover, the current obtained from auxiliary direct current source, such as a battery, is so conducted through the magneto windings as to also tend to strengthen or build up the permanent magnetization of the magneto, even though the magneto itself is inactive in the generation of electromotive force.- When the battery cooperates with the magneto in the production of current, the relation of this attery current and the induced current in the magneto windings is such that the e-lectroinotive force ofth'e two sources is additive, both currents flowing in the same direction but when the direction of the electromotive force generated in the magneto winding is'reversed, the circuit is opened by the circuit controller or interrupter.

A further object of my invention is the provision of means whereby a wrong connection of the battery in .the circuit is prevented, and although such means is not essential to the operation of in improved ignition system, it is very desira 1e in cases where the operator could not always be depended upon for making connection of the battery in proper relation in the circuit.

My invention further comprises an improved magneto alternator and parts related thereto, which are particularly well adapted for use in my improved system of ignition.

These, and other features of m invention will be understood from the to lowing de scription and accompanying drawings, disclosed and shown for the urpose of illustrating one form of embo iment of my in vention.

1 preferably utilize an inductor-magneto alternator of a form in which the rotation of the inductor merely causes rapid variations in the density of the magnetic flux threading through the generating winding or windings, instead of causing the flux to vary both in density and direction through the windings. By an increase and decrease of magnetic flux density without reversal of direction, two waves of electromotive force of opposite direction are generated in the winding or windings, one corresponding to the increase in flux density and the other corresponding to the decrease in flux density. A current flow in the windings resulting from flux increase tends to oppose such increase, and so creates a counter magneto motive force in. the magnetic circuit which tends to weaken the magnetic field density.

On the other hand, a current flow in the magneto winding or windings. resulting from magnetic flux decrease, is in such direction as to oppose such decrease, and conse- I quently the flow of such current in the wind-' tion.

ing or windings of the magneto induces a magneto motive force in the magnetic circuit which tends to increase the magnetic flux density of the field element of the magneto. Thus, if a suitable switch or current interrupter be operated, as from the rotor shaft of the magneto or by a shaft rotating at the same speed or at a definitely related speed, such as a multiple speed thereof, or in any other suitable way, so that the circuit of the generating winding be opened during the period of generation of the wave of electromotive force resulting from 'flux increase, and closed during the period of generation of the wave of electromotive force due to the decrease in flux density, the tendency of the resulting current flow in the circuit will always be such as to strengthenv the magnetization of the field' element. I have discovered, however, that for the conjoint use of a battery or other direct current source with an alternating current magneto generator connected in circuit with the battery, a magneto of certain essential characteristics of construction is necessary. For example, in the case of a magneto alternator in which the magnetic flux is successively reversed through the generating winding or windings, the same beneficial etiect cannot be as readily obtained if, in fact at all, as is the case with-a magneto in which the magnetic flux is not so reversed, but merely varies in density.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a diagram illustrating one form of my invention as applied to a low tension or make and break system of ignition; Fig. 2

is a vertical section of my improved magneto with windings adapted for high tension, or jump-spark ignition; Fig. 3, is a horizontal sectlon on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig.- 4c is an end elevation of the magneto illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, showing the interrupter in section; Fig. 5 is-an opposite end elevation showing the distributer and a protective device for the secondary circuit partly in section; and Figs. 6 and 7, are diagrams showing one form of connection and apparatus, comprising my improved ignition system adapted for high tension jump-spark igni- Referring to Fig. 1 illustratingmy invention as applied to low tension or make and break ignition, I will first describe the form of magneto illustrated. This magneto pref-.

erably comprises a'number of lamina 1, which may be assembled in any preferred manner for building up the field element. They are shown to beheld firmly together between suitable end frames by bolts 2. Each of the lamina or plates 1 is of the same form and provided with olar extensions N and S of opposite polarlty. Preferably each lamina is formed from a sheet of steel, the main portion of the lamina being hardened and permanently magnetized and its integral polar extensions N S being relatively soft. Such lamina may be made as described in my prior United States Patent No. 902399,

granted October 27, 1908. A second pole piece N of the same. polarity as the pole N is also provided of the general form shown, and composed preferably of soft iron lamina firmly held together between the end plates is in position as shown in the drawing, the

coil is well protected from possible mechanical injury, being alsoprotected by a cover plate 6, which may serve to support the insulated terminals 7 of the winding 5.

9 is a magnetismdistributer or inductor preferably formed of soft iron, and mounted to rotate between the polar faces N, N and S. The polar faces of this inductor are proportioned relatively to the polar faces N, N, S of the field magnet. The rotation of the inductor 9 establishes two different paths for the magnetic flux, the one being from pole N to S and thence returning through the main portion of the field element, and the other being through the bridge piece 3, pole N through the inductor to pole S, and thence returning through the mam portion of the magneto to the bridge piece.

It becomes evident that by rotating or oscillating the inductor 9, the magnetic flux density in the coil 5 will be varied and the windings will become the seat of alternating electromotive force, maximum and minimum values of which will be twice attained during each revolution of the ,inductor.

Of the four electromotive force waves produced per revolution, ll make use only of the two, the current of which has a magnetizing action on the permanent magnet. Further more, these two waves I find to be the only ones which can properly be associated with a direct current source of supply to have a magnetizing efiect on the permanent magnet when in circuit with the generating winding on the inductor alternator. The two waves, namely negative waves, which would tend to have a demagnetizing effect upon the permanent magnet are not allowed to pass, that is the circuit openin and closing mechanism hereinafter describe is so constructed as to open the circuit during the generation of the negative waves, thus insuring that they will have no demagnetizing eifect upon the per-' manent magnet.

contact therewith 'is'a lever 12 mounted upon a rock-shaft 13, the latter passing through a suitable stufiing. box in the wall of the coinbustion chamber. The end of the terminal 11 and the contact end of the lever 12 will preferably be mad'e'o'f suitable material to resist the burning eifect of the arc. The contact lever 12 is held in the position shown by the action of a spring 14, surrounding a reciprocating rod 15 supported in suitable guides, said spring bearing'between one of said guides 16,- integral with the cylinder, and a collar 17 on said rod. The rod 15 rests upon and is moved in one direction by the action of a lever 18 pivoted at 19 to a hand-controlled lever 20, which co-acts with a rack 21 for holding the lever in any desired position, the lever being pivoted at 22 to a bracket upon the casing. A cam 23 is mounted upon'the cam shaft 24, which latter is driven positively by the engine and assuming that the engine is of the four-cycle type,

the cam-shaft is driven at one half the speed of the engine crank shaft;

The lever 18 is provided witha "projection 25 whichengages'the cam 23, so that upon rotation of the cam in the direction of the arrow, it will raise the lever 18 and -consequently the rod 15 against the action of spring 14. The rod 15 has a collar 26 at its upper end which rests upon the end 27 of a lever 28, which lever is secured tothe rockshaft 13. A spring 29 is secured'to the other or free end of lever 28 and to a fixed bracketor to the end of an arm 30 pivoted at 31 and resting at its inner end on the guide bracket 16. of the cam 23 and lever 18, the collar 20 will be raised from contact with the end 27 of lever 28, thus permittin the outer end of said lever to be drawn 29, rocking the shaft 13 and thereby bring the contact end of lever 12 into contact with terminal 11. The face of the cam 23 is pro vided with astep 32 so as to suddenly release rod 15 as the cam passes from under the projection of lever 25, thus permitting the collar 26 to strike forcibly against the end 27 of lever 28 and so result in a sudden break between contacts 11 and 12. The making and breakirg of the ignition circuit will thus be obtained and movement of the adjustable lever 20 will serve to vary the time of ignition as may be desired.

The ignition circuit is shown as including a battery 33, although other source of direct other suitable form When the rod 15 is raised by the action 1 own by the springcurrent maybe used; the battery being -connected in series with the generating Winding 5, the circuit continuing from this winding to the insulated terminal 11 in the combustion chamber and thence when the ignition circuit is closed, to the contact 12 and then to the engineframe or ground connection, the circuit returning from ground .to the battery 33 in simplified form. I prefer however to include an automaticswitch in this circuit for insuring .a proper connection of the battery. This'switch is shown in the drawing as oomprising'a U-sh-aped permanent magnet 34; preferably built up of lamina and havingpivoted theret-oa soft iron member 35 carrying a contact 36 at its lower end. I The contact 36 is adapted to engage a fixed contact 37 which in this instance is secured to or grounded upon the engine frame- The member 35 is enveloped by a coil 38, and when. current passes through this coil in proper direction, the member 35 will be so magnetized that its lower end will be attracted by the right hand pole'of the permanent magnetand so cause the contact 36 to engage the fixed contact 37 and thus close the ignition circuit from one terminal of the battery through the permanent magnet 34 and pivoted member 35 to contacts 36 and 37 and thence to ground or engine frame. When the current through the coil 38 is in the opposite direction the member 35'will be thrown to the left and cause-the ignition-circuit to be broken at contacts 36, 37, the magnetic force being suflicient to overcome the action of spring 39 which tends to close these contacts. The coil 38 is in shunt to the battery 3'3 with a resistance 40 connected in series 'with the coil, or if desired coil 38 may be a-fine wire high resistance winding, thus allowing only a very small current to flow in this shunt circuit. The path of this shunt circuit is from one terminal of the battery through the resistance, 40 if used, and coil 38 to the magnet 34 and thence to the other terminal. of the b ttery. The coil 38 will be in such relation to the terminals between which the battery is to be connected that when the battery is properlybonnected, the effect will be to cause the contacts 36, 37 to be closed, and when improperly connected the effect will be to cause these contacts to be se )arated as above explained and so prevent the closing of the ignition circuit and prevent operation of the ignition system with an improper connection of the battery. i

The relative angular position of the inductor 9 to thecam 23 should-be such that when the positive current wave is being generated in winding 5 and is approximately at a maximum, the cam 23 will cause the bre king of the ignition circuit for creatin t 1e i nition spark, and the cam 23 should Iie so aped as not tocause the closing of the ignimay be cut out of circuit as by means of amanual switch 41.

WVhen the battery is acting in conjunction with the generating winding 5, the battery serves to coiiperate with the electromotive force of the generating winding to produce a flow of current therein during the period when the ignition-circuit is closed such that the current will tend to strengthen the magnetization of the magneto and avoid demagnetization.

It will be understood that when the in' ductor of the magneto is at rest or inactive for any reason,.this improved system is of such character that the battery 33 may serve as the sole source of energy for ignition purposes. 7 Thus, with the battery in circuit, the winding 5 will cotiperate therewith-to produce an effective spark dischar e without the aid of other apparatus, t e winding 5 then serving merely as the usual self-induction or choke coil and so avoid the useof any auxiliary coil or coils. \Vith this method of operation it will also be noticed that the current flow in the i nition circuit due to the battery will then e such as to magnetize and maintain the magneti- "zation of the field element of the magneto.

Referring now to the apparatus indicated in Figs. 2 to 7 illustrating my invention in one form for securing high tension ignition of jump-spark character, I will first describe the construction of the magneto and related parts as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive The fform of the field magnet 1 and its structure is thesam e in general as that described in connection with Fig. 1, having the bolts 2. for holdin the flnd auxiliary pole N, the laminated bridge piece 3 retained in place by screws 4 and also has a cover plate 6' for protecting the generating winding or windings. The end plates 42, 42 between which the lamina of the field element are clamped by the screw bolts 2 are illustrated in these figures and are shown as supporting ball bearings 43 for the rotor 9, which latter is of the same form as described in connection with Fig. 1. The

bridge piece 3 in this magneto is shown as being enveloped by two coils or windings, a coarse windmg 44 of comparat vely few turns, and a fine wire secondary winding 45 'lated therefrom.

of a comparatively large number of turns.

These windings are well insulated from eachother and from the magneto frame. One terminal of the winding 44 is grounded upon the .magneto frame, and the other terminal is connected to a' terminal 46 mounted upon the cover plate 6 and insuto this terminal 46, and the other terminal of winding 45-is in the form of a contact 47 located 'upon' the outside of the coil, and when the coil is in position, the contact 47 engages 'a spring pressed. contact 48 mounted in an insulating support 49 upon the opposite end of cover plate 6' from the terminal 46.

One terminal of the fine 1 wire secondary winding 45 is also connected Upon the bearing portion of end plate 42, i

the outer part of which is circular .and provided with a groove 50, is mounted a casing 51 from which extends an arm, 52 by .which the casing may be adjusted angularly about the axis of the inductor, the casing being provided with screws 53 which enter the groove 50 and thus retain the casing in position While permitting angular adjustment. The casing 51 surrounds the rotor shaft and incloses a cam 54 fixed to or formed integral with the rotor shaft. The outer end of the rotor shaft is shown as provided with a clutch member 55 for driving from the engine shaft or from any shaft positively driven from the engine shaft at the required speed ratio. The casing 51 is open at its upper portion and is adapted to have united therewith a metal box frame 56 which carries positioning pins 57 which enter perforations in the upper part of casing 51, the box frame 56 being retained in position by springs 58 which carry pins adapted to enter other perforations in the casing 51. In the upper part of box 56 are circular insulating bushings 59 which support the metallic strip 60 above them and a metal piece '61 below them, the parts being held together by screws 62. Fixed to the metal strip 60 is aterminal 63 preferably spherical in form and thus adapted to receive a cli terminal. The metal piece 61 has integral t erewith a depending portion 64 adapted to receive an adjustable screw having at its inner end a contact 65, the screw being able sliding or cover plates. The box 56- is provided with two depending portions 68 between which extends the pivot 69 for supporting the pivoted member 70 formed of two side portions fixed to the hub ath- 4373} 71' and carrying at their upper end a. con tact 72, and at their lower endsa piece 73 of suitable material adap'ted to'be engaged by the face of cam 54 on the rotor shaft. A spring 74 is secured at one end to the hub 71 and passes between the side members of the pivoted element and. is secured at its upper end to a part of the box 56, This Spring tends to force contact 72 into engagement with contact 65 away from the back stop 75, and will cause the engagement of these contacts excepting when the cam 54 engages the piece 73 to force these contacts apart against the action of the spring. The

cam 54 is arranged'to separate these contacts.

and hold them separated a certain interval of time twice per revolution of the inductor and permits engagement of these contacts twice per revolution. These parts thus serve as the interrupter of the circuit of the primary generating winding 44 for producing spark ignition, the cam being so related to the position of the inductor 9 that the breaking of the circuit between contacts 72 and 65 will occur approximately when the positive current waves are a maximum and cause the circuit to be opened during the two periods when waves of negative electromotive force are being induced in the generating winding 44.

The ad'nstability of the casing 51 which carries and supports the box 56, has heretofore been referred to, the casing 51 being adjustable about a bearing portion of end plate 42, and it will now be seen that by slightly shifting arm 52 of this casing either .mannally or otherwise, the timing of the ignition may be varied. The interrupter above described is also readily adaptable to either direction of rotation. of the magneto shaft because if the direction should be opposite from that 9 11- templated in the posltion shown in Fig. 4, the springs 58 could be raised and the box 56 then removed and placed in the reversed position so as to cause the rear of the box 56 to become the front, proper relationship being secured in either case by the positioning pins 57- and securing springs 58. Upon the opposite end of the magneto from where the interrupter just described is located, I ar- $9 directly drives, the movable element of the range the distributing controlling means for the ignition in the several cylinders and in the present'instance I have assumed that the ignition in a four-cylinder engine is to be controlled. The end of the rotor shaft is provided with a spur gear 7 6 which meshes with an internal gear 77 which is supported by ball bearings located eccentrically to the axis of the rotor shaft. The internal gear distributor, which latter is arranged to cause the closing of the four ignition circuits in one revolution, and as the rotor of the magneto is adapted to cause two ignitions per revolution as above explained, the mag.- neto shaft should make two rcvolutionsper each revolution of the movable element of the distributer and the gear ratio between the gears 76 and 7 7, should therefore be 2 to 1. The internal gear 77 has fixed thereto a portion 78 of insulating material which lating ring 82 and insulated from each other.

Four wires are connected respectively to the four contacts 83 and lead to four 1ns'u- 4 lated terminals 84 adapted to receive plug terminals which are connected respectively to the insulated terminals of the spark plugs in the four engine cylinders. The outer end of the rotatable element 79 passes successively over the face of the four contacts 83 for controlling the ignition circuits, but 1 preferably arrange the movable element so that it will not contact with thecontacts 83 but pass over them and obtain a brush discharge. The outer end. of element 79 is therefore shown as having a facing 85 with a large number of projecting points or ridges of platinum or other non-oxidizin material. There remains to be 'considere the means for connectin the high tension terminal 47 of the secon ary coil 45 electrically to the movable element79 of the distributer. The high tension terminal 47 of the coil 45 is connectedwhen in place to'the spring pressed contact 48 supported by the insulatingmember 49 fixed to one end of the cover plate 6, as above stated. The contact 48 is partially located within a metal sleeve containing the spring which forces, this contact against the terminal 47 and the sleeve is fixed to a block of metal 86 which has connected thereto by a threaded engagement the split pin 87 which extends out wardly. A cover plate 88 of insulating material is secured to the insulating rin 82 and protects and inc-loses the contacts .0, the distributor. This plate 88 has embedded therein a metal sleeve 89 which receives the outer ends of the split 'pin 87 making elec trical contact therewith, and the sleeve 89 is connected by a strip 90 of, conductingmaterial to a plug 91 embedded in the plate 88 opposite the outwardly pressed contact 81 of the distributor. Electrical connection from the terminal 47 to the movable element 7.9 of the distributer is thus secured by these parts, and it will be noted that all of the parts are well protected and inclosed and also adapted to be easily inspected and re? might result from high voltages induced when the contacts of the spark plugs or of a spark plug have been damaged or if in any way a high tension terminal becomes disconnected. I have shown this protective means in the form of a safety air-gap of higher resistance than the normal air-gaps of the spark plugs, and thus when the spark plug terminals are so damaged that the resistance between contacts is considerably higher than the normal amount or if any high tension lineis broken in any manner, there will be afforded a path of discharge through the safety air-gap and thereby avoid possible breaking down or straining of the insulation of winding or windings.

One terminal of the safety air-gap is provided by a screw 92 engaging the metal block 86 and extending upwardly as shown in Fig. 5. The screw 92 is provided with a suitable terminal tip and is inclosed by a glass tube 93 which has an adjustable screw 94 supported in a' cap at its upper end. The screw 94 is provided at its lower end with a suitable terminal such as a platinum wire, and by turning this screw the distance between its terminal and that of screw 92 may be adjusted to proper amount so as-to have the required higher resistance between them than between the terminals of the sparknected to the exterior insulated terminal 95. I also prefer to use the automatic switch comprising the parts 34, 35, 38, etc.,

described in connection with Fig. 1, for insuring a proper connection of the battery 33,

or other source of direct current which is used in conjunction with the magneto in this high tension system of ignition in general in the same manner as described in relation to the low tension system of Fig. 1. These parts are shown in Figs. 6 and 7 connected in relation to the other parts already described, andthe devices indicated in diagram in these figures are designated by numerals corresponding to those used in describing the structural part of Figs. 2 to 5.

'1 preferably use a controlling switch of the character indicated in Figs. 6 and 7,

adapted to be turnedby the operator and mounted so as to be readily accessible to him. This operators switchcomprises a movable part carrying conducting strips 96, 97 insulated from each other, and in the central position the strip 96 is out of engagement with any fixed contacts while the strip 97 connects the segment 98 with the .fixed segment 99; When turned to the left the connecting strip 97 electrically connects segment 98 to segment 100 which is grounded. When the switch is turned to the extreme right the strip 96 connects the contacts 101 to each other, and the strip 97 connects the segment 98 to the contact 102.

In Fig. 6,. the position of the operators switch is such that the. generating winding 44 of the magneto is the sole source of energy for producing the spark ignition. Thecircuit of the generating winding 44 which 35 also serves as a primary circuit for inducing current in .the circuit of the secondary 0011 '45, may be traced from the ground or engine frame connection through the coil 44 to the terminal 46, thence to'the segmentv 98 of the 'operators switch to segment 99, then by a connection to the treminal 63 of the box 56 of the interrupter, and from this terminal through the contacts 65, 72 of the interrupter to ground. The condenser is 95 connected from terminal 63 to ground and is thus connected around or in parallel with the contacts 65, 72 of the interrupter. The

circuit of the secondary coil or winding 45 may be traced from terminal46 through the winding to terminal 47, and thence through the parts previously described to the movable element 79 of the distributer and then through the difierent ignition circuits and spark plugs 103 to ground, the discharge through the. secondary circuit including the primary winding '44 for improving the spark neto will serve to supply sufficient energy to 12 produce excellent high tension spark discharges when the engine is operating at any of the various driving speeds and indeed many engines may be started with this apparatuswithout the aid of any battery or other source of current supply external to the magneto, itself.

When it is desired to use the battery 33 as an auxiliary source to assist the magneto, the operators switch will be turned to the right the other terminal of the battery, coil-Z.

38'thu's being connected in shunt to the bati 'teryithroilgh there's'rscaneeeo. The oper -g tors switch is arranged so that the 'contacts "101 are connected with each ot-her b'y-conduc tor 96 before contacts "98 and Ice-ar con-j nected and this insuresthe separation-ofconjtacts '36, 37 before the battery "could be c'onnected in series with "the magneto even int mentarily, in case the battery "should ibeij improperly connected incircuit. With the contacts 36 and 37 closed, the primary or; generatin circuit of 'the" system may bei tra'ced'as' ollowsf: from'ground'thrbugh "en- 2 e'rating winding 44 of the magnetoftermmah 46, segment 98, conductor97, segment 102, to

" contact 37, which in ftlfe present instance} should be insulated, thence tocontact 36,pivoted member 35, magnet-34 which isral'soinsulated' from other parts of the ap aratus, j thenceto battery 33,'termin al63 and hrough;

the breaker to ground. This circu'it'theredeclare that what- I claim-as new and defore includes the generating winding 44a n'd' the battery 33 inyseries W'itheach other andthey will now act jointly to supply-energy; 'fo-r ignition as more fully described with reference to the system shownimFig. 1. When operating with the winding 44 and battery connected in series witheachiother, the con-f 'nections of the secondaryor ignition circuit: WIll of course remain as before andneednot; be again described. .It will further be understoodthat when} the'magneto is inactiveor at rest, the bat-.5 -tery 33 may serve as the 'sdlexsource of energy by'acting in conjunction with the; windings 44, 45 of the'magneto which then; serve as induction or transformer 'coils'and, thus avoids the necessity of additional or; auxihary induction-coils. Torexample, if? the engine and magneto should be at rest' andhagpened to'stop 'Withthe contacts 65, 72 of t e breaker closed, a discharge could be obtained by oscillating 'the interrupter, casing'by' means of the arm 52 which would cause'the primary circuit to be"broken and: 'the energy from the battery would then act through 'the coils 44, 45 toprodu'ce ignition, "and tJe-engine would start itself i'f the cyl- 66 inder 'aifected contained an explosive mix-- tune. In liea 0 f oscillating thecasing of the breakout-fie *s'v'eitch 104 mi ht be 'moinentariliy closed :and opened which wonldclose and open the primary circuit in case the breaker happened to "be opened, the battery and windings 44, 45 acting the-same'in each case.

It will "also be understood that with a -magne't0 embodyin *nriy invention and herein described and illustrated, any necessary repair "or inspection of the generating winding may be readily made removing the bridge-piece and-windingas a uni-t after removing the screws 4, and in"case of, damage of the Winding beyond repair, a 3n new.-.winding..andQbridge-piece may be easily substituted. I r a r =It will'alsobe understood "that the'form o'f the magneto isj sirnpl'e in construction. and

secures the advantage of occupying a small as amount-of spac'e. Also th'at it-"is no'tneces- K sary 'to='rem0V'e'-fhe inductor or pale pieces v in order "to remove the winding and that the-induetor may befused'to keep the magnetic'o'irouit closed, while the winding is "r'e- .96

the 'permanent'magnet. 7

'While I have herein described two prefeared applications of 'myimproved method and system of ignition, and while -I have described particularly certain "forms of magn'e'to constructionand rlated apparatus, yet it will be understood that my invention is capableof various other applications and forms of construction without departing. from the'scope thereof.

*Having thus described my invention, I 7

moved, thus "avoiding demagnetization of sire to secure by Letters Patent, -is,

1. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit,-a source of direct current, an inductor alternator, having a permanen'tly magnetized portion and a plurality of poles 'o'f' t-he same polarity, the stationarycoihof the alternator being-disposed about alnagnt-ic ortion between said plurality df poles d the same polarity, and

means" for "connecting. fithe direct current source inseries with said stationary =wind-' mg. I

2. An ignition system-comprising in the generating-circuit a source of direct current, an "inductor *ma'gnet'o alternator having a permanently magnetized portion and plu- 'ra'lity of poles'o' thesamefpdlarity, the sta- 'tiona'ry coil-of the=alternator=embmcing a magnetic =porti'on in the m'agnetic path between said =p'oles of "the same polarity, and

means for connecting the direct current source lnserles WliZhSRld stationary windmg,

3. An lgmtlonsystem comprising in the generating circult, a-source of-di'rect current and a source of" alternating electromotive for'ce connected in series relatively to each rent and an inductor alternator connected in series relatively to each other, the said alternator having a stationary generating Winding and means for causing an increase and decrease of magnetic flux through said winding in one direction only.

5. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and an inductor magneto alternator connected in series relatively to each other, the said alternator having a stationary generating winding and means for causing an increase and decrease of magnetic flux through said Winding in one direction only.

6. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and a source of alternating electromotive force connected in series relatively to each other, and an intermittently operated breaker for closing and opening the circuit during generation of waves by said source of electromotive force in the same direction as the electromotive force of the direct current source and in a direction tending to strengthen the magnetization of the source of alternating elect-romot-ive force and for causing the circuit to be opened during generation of waves of opposite direction.

7. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and an inductor alternator having stationary generating winding connected in series with said direct current source, and an intermittently operated breaker for closing and opening the circuit during generation of waves by said alternator in the same direction as the electromotive force of the direct current source and i ra direction tending to strengthen the nnignetization of the alternator and for causing the circuit to be opened during generation of waves of opposite direction.

8. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and an inductor magneto alternator having its stationary generating winding connected in series with said direct current source, and an intermittently operated breaker for opening and closing the circuit during generation of waves by said alternator in the same direction as the electromotivc force of the direct current source and in a direction tending to strengthen the magnetization of the alternator and for causing the circuit to be opened during generation ct waves of opposite direction.

9. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and a source of alternating electrometlve force connect-ed in' series relatively to each other, the said source of alternating electromotive force having a stationary generating winding means for causing an lncrease and decrease of magnetic flux through said winding in one direction only, and an intermittently operated breaker for closing and opening the circuit during generation of waves by said source of alternating electromotive force'in the same direction as the electromotive force of the direct current source and in a direction tending to strengthen the magnetization of the source of alternating electromotive force and for causing the circuit to be opened during generation of waves of opposite direction.

10. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and an inductor alternator connected in series relatively to each other, the said alternator having a stationary generating winding, means for causing an increase and decrease of magnetic flux through said winding inone dlrection only, and an intermittently operated breaker for closing and opening the circuit during generation of waves by said alternator in the same direction as the electromotive force of thedirect current source and in a direction tending to strengthen the magnetization of the alternator and for causing the circuit to be opened during generation of waves of opposite direction.

11. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and an inductor magneto alternator having its stationary generating winding connected in series with said direct current source, means for causing'an increase and decrease of magnetic flux through said winding in one direction only, and an intermittently operated breaker for closing and opening the circuit during generation of waves by said alternator in the same direction as the electromotive force of the direct current source and in a direction tending to strengthen the magnetization of the alternator and for causing the circuit to be opened during generation of waves of opposite direction.

12. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and a source of alternating electrometive force connected in series relatively to each other, and a polarized switch having a winding for automatically preventing the closing of the circuit when the source of direct current is improperly connected.

13. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit,a source of direct current and an inductor alternator having its stationary generating winding connected in series with said direct current source, and a polarized switch having a winding for. automatically preventing the' closing of the circuit when the source of direct current is 'venting the closing of thefcircuit when the source of direct current 'is' improp erlyconnected.

15. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit a source of direct current and an inductor ai ary generating winding connected in series with said direct current source, means for causing an increase and decrease of magnetic flux through said winding in one direction only, and a polarized switch having a winding connected in said circuit for automatically preventing the closing of said circuit when the source of direct current is improperly connected.

16. An. ignition system comprising in-the generating circuit, a source of direct current and a source of alternating electrometive force connected in series relatively to each other, and an intermittently operated breaker for closing and opening the circuit during generation of waves by said source of electromotive force in the same direction as the electromotive force of the direct current source and in a direction tending tostrengthen the magnetization ofthe source of alternating electromotive force and for causing the circuit to be opened" during generation of waves of opposite direction, and a polarized switch havin a winding for automatically preventing tie closing of the circuit when the source of direct current is improperly connected.

17. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and a source of alternating electromo; tive force having a generating winding connected in series with said direct current source, means for causing an increase and decrease of magnetic flux through said winding in one direction only, and an intermittently operated breaker for closing and opening the circuit during generation of waves y said source of alternating electromotive force in the same direction as the electromotive force of the direct currentsource and in a direction tending to strengthen the magnetization of the source of alternating electromotive force and for causing the circuit to be opened during generation of waves of opposite direction, and a olarized switch having a winding, said switch winding being connected 'to said ternator having a stationdirect current source to automatically prevent the closing of the circuit throu h said alternating source when the source 0? direct current is improperly connected;

18. An ignition system comprlsmg. 1n the generating circuit, a source of direct current and an inductor alternator having its stationary generating winding connected in serics with said direct current source, means for causing an increase and decrease of magnetic flux in one direction'only, and anin- Itermit tently operated breaker for closing and opening the circuit during generation of waves by said alternator'in the same direction as the electromotive force of the direct current source and ina direction tending to I strengthen the magnetization of the alternator and for causing the circuit to be opened during generation of waves of opposite direction, and a polarized switch having a winding connected to prevent the closing of the circuit through said alternator when the source of direct current is improperly connected.

19. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit a source of direct current, a source of alternating electromotive force, a manually operated switch for connecting said source of direct current in series with a .generating winding of said alternating source, and a switch comprising a controL' ling coil for preventing the closing of the circuit when the source of direct current is improperly connected, said manually operated switch being arranged to close said controlling coil of said automatic switch before the source of direct current is connected to said generating winding by said first named switch. v

20. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit a source of direct current; an inductor alternator, a manually operated switch for connecting said, direct current sourcein series with a generating winding of said alternator, and a polarized switch comprising a controlling coil for preventing the closing of the circuit when the source of direct current is improperly connected, said manually operated switch being arranged to close the circuit of said controlling coil of said automatic switch before the connection of said direct current source to said generating winding by the first named switch.

21. An ignition system comprising in the generating circuit, a source of direct current and an inductor alternator havin its stationary primary winding connecte in series with said direct current source, and a secondary winding on said alternator connected in the spark discharge circuit, and a polarized switch comprising a controlling coil for preventing the closing of the circuit when said direct current source is improperly coir nected.

I 22. An ignition system comprising in the v tionary primary Winding connected in series netic flux through said primary Winding in and in a direction tending to strengthen the generating circuit, a source of direct cur With said direct current source, means for causing an lncrease and decrease of magone direction only, and a secondary winding on said alternator connected in the spark discharge circuit.

,24. An ignition system comprising in the generatin circuit, a source of direct current and an in uctor alternator having a primary winding connected in series with said direct current source, and an intermittently operated breaker for closing and opening the cir cuit during generation of waves by said alternator in the same direction as the electromotive force of the direct current source magnetization of the alternator and for I causing the circuit to be opened during generation of waves of opposite'direction, and a secondar winding on said alternator connected in time spark discharge circuit.

25. An ignition system comprising a source of alternating electromotive force, said source having a generating winding, means forcausing an increase and decrease of magnetic flux through said generating winding'in one direction only, and means for closing the circuit of said winding during the period when current flows in a di-' rection tending to magnetize the magnetic field element of the source and for opening the circuit of said winding during the generation of'elect-romotive force in the opposite direction. v

k 26. An -ignition system comprising 'a source of alternating electromotive force,

said source' havingsa generating winding, means for causing an increase and decrease of magnetic flux through said generating Winding in one direction only, a breaker for closing and opening the circuit of said winding, and means for causing said breaker to be closed during the generation of waves by said winding in a direction tending to strengthen the magnetization of the field element of the source and for causing said breaker to be opened during generatlon of Waves of opposite direction.

In testimony whereof-I afiix my signature,

in presence of two Witnesses.

LEON J. LE PONTOIS.

Witnesses:

L. K. SAGER, GEO. N. KERR. 

